Switzerland's government on Monday banned all public and private events from midnight and mobilized up to 8,000 members of the military after declaring the rapidly spreading coronavirus an "exceptional" emergency.

"We will not leave you alone," Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga said at a news conference announcing strict new measures aiming to control the epidemic that has killed 14 people and sickened more than 2,200 in Switzerland. "We will take care of you."

“We know that this decision disrupts the daily life of our country,” Interior Minister Alain Berset, said, according to the site, warning -- as officials around the world have done -- that the situation would get worse before it gets better.

The new measures are in place until April 19. That also includes school shutdowns.

The site did say hospitals and clinics must stay open for necessary procedures. And, it characterized the mobilization of soldiers as the nation's largest since World War II.

Meanwhile, the website said Swiss Federal Railways are suspending international services and reducing their domestic services. And border checks have been introduced with Germany, France and Austria. Indeed, only Swiss citizens, residents and people traveling to Switzerland for business are being permitted to enter the Alpine nation.

Switzerland's government on Monday banned all public and private events from midnight and mobilized up to 8,000 members of the military after declaring the rapidly spreading coronavirus an "exceptional" emergency."We will not leave you alone," Swiss President Simonetta...